WORCESTER — Franklin Post 75’s season came to an end Friday morning, as Upper Deck Post 14 of Cumberland, Rhode Island defeated the Massachusetts champions, 3-1, in an elimination game at the American Legion Baseball Northeast Regional Tournament at Fitton Field.
The loss eliminated Franklin from the double-elimination tournament, ending an outstanding summer that included an undefeated 22-0 regular season and a Massachusetts American Legion state championship.
The two neighboring communities, separated by just 11 miles, were locked in a pitcher’s duel through the first five innings before Cumberland broke through late.
Franklin scored first in the bottom of the fourth inning without recording a hit. Jack Sullivan reached second base and eventually crossed the plate when Ethan Edmunds reached on an error, giving Post 75 a 1-0 lead.
Cumberland responded in the sixth inning. Jake Lonardo led off the rally and later scored on a two-out RBI double by Josh Lyon to tie the game. Moments later, Jack Dichiaro lifted a sacrifice fly to left field, bringing home Cameron Slack to give Upper Deck Post 14 a 2-1 advantage.
The Rhode Islanders added an insurance run in the seventh when Lyon delivered again with an RBI single, scoring Carter Harris to extend the lead to 3-1.
Pat Munger was outstanding on the mound for Cumberland, tossing a complete-game one-hitter. He allowed just one unearned run while striking out six and walking five over seven innings.
Josh Lyon led Cumberland’s offense, finishing 3-for-3 with a double and two RBIs. Lonardo added two hits and scored a run, while Harris scored once and Dichiaro drove in a run with his sacrifice fly.
Franklin managed just one hit all game, a single by Sullivan, while drawing five walks. The offense was limited throughout by Munger’s command and the Cumberland defense.
Colin Mont turned in a strong start for Franklin, allowing two runs on five hits over five innings while striking out two. Aidan Clark pitched the final two innings, surrendering one run on two hits with two strikeouts.
The defeat closes the book on a remarkable season for Franklin, which entered the Northeast Regional unbeaten at 22-0 after capturing the Massachusetts state title. Despite consecutive losses to Bedford, New Hampshire and Cumberland, Rhode Island, Franklin’s run marked one of the most successful seasons in program history and capped another championship campaign for head coach Tyler Pasquarosa and Post 75.
